Medicare Healthcare Explained

By: EconomyWatch Content Team   Date: 4 February 2010

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It can be very expensive to pay for health insurance. The thing about your health is that sometimes you have no warning that an infection, sickness or illness is about to occur. The same can be true when it comes to a serious illness. Having enough money to purchase a health insurance policy can be a problem for many people. This is especially the case if you are disabled or if you are over 65 and live on a small retirement income. Most insurance plans for healthcare in the United States are only available through private companies.

Medicare Healthcare is a health insurance program that has been put into play by the federal government. Healthcare by this means is more affordable to many seniors. However there is a special criterion you must meet in order to qualify for it.

In a very general sense those who are deemed eligible for Medicare must have been employed at a job for 10 years that was Medicare-covered (or their spouse must have). They also must be 65 years of age or older and be a permanent resident of the United States. This is the very basic requirements however there are exceptions to this that the Medicare Healthcare system is willing to consider.

A person who is under the age of 65 may be eligible to apply for Medicare if they suffer from end stage renal disease or if they are disabled. Those younger than 65 who are disabled must be receiving disability benefits either from the Railroad Retirement Board or Social Security for a period of 24 months or more before their automatic enrollment can take place.

Medicare does not cover every medical service but it covers a number of them. Some services are covered under Part A while others are covered under Part B. If you get Parts A and B then medical services and items in hospitals, as well as other medical settings are covered. This is the case regardless of whether you are a member of a Medicare Advantage Plan (such as an HMO or a PPO) or whether you are a member of the Original Medicare Plan.

Part A of the Medicare Healthcare program covers the in-patient care you receive if you have to stay in the hospital. This care includes critical access hospitals as well as skilled nursing facilities. It does not however include long-term care.

Part B of the Medicare program covers some of the medical services that Part A does not such as outpatient care and services by doctors. Part B also pays for some preventative services. Part B is not a part you must choose in order to be accepted as a member of Medicare as it is optional coverage.  
 


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